DORSET fell to defeat at Chapel Gate as Oxfordshire completed a seven-wicket victory midway through the final day in their Minor Counties clash.

A spirited unbeaten 62 off 168 balls from Jigar Naik had given Dorset a tricky second-innings lead of 115 to defend, but quick knocks from Lloyd Sabin (45) and Harry Smith (48) rapidly extinguished any hopes Dorset had of winning the match.

Resuming on 128-6, Dorset lost Sam Thomson (3) to Oliver Clarke (4-48), while Mark Wolstenholme also perished soon afterwards to Bradley Taylor (1-27) as Dorset reached 137-8.

But Naik was able to accumulate runs with willing allies James Hayman (11) and Brad Currie (8), sharing a last-wicket stand of 45.

Dorset’s second innings closed on 206 as Clarke polished off Hayman and Currie to set a 116 target.

Oxfordshire came out bristling with intent in their reply as Sabin carted Wolstenholme for 16 off his very first over.

The opener continued to score at more than a run-a-ball but saw opening partner Clarke (7) ousted by Naik (2-35) as Dorset pegged them back at 43-1.

Sabin was joined by Smith at the crease and the latter set a greater pace as Oxfordshire wasted little time in settling the result.

When Naik removed Sabin for a 43-ball 45, Oxfordshire only needed 40 more runs to win, but after striking seven boundaries Smith was removed by Josh Digby (1-6) at 113-3.

It was left to captain Jonathan Cater to find the boundary and complete a triumph that sends Oxfordshire into second behind Berkshire, with Dorset in seventh.